ArtsEd is delighted to announce the appointment of Adam Davenport to the role of Dean of Higher Education. 

Adam will be part of the new Executive Team, alongside Director of Finance and Operations Alex Gillespie, Headteacher of Day School & Sixth Form Peter Middleton, and the Director of Enterprise and External Engagement, which is currently being recruited.

As Dean of Higher Education, Adam will lead all aspects of ArtsEd’s higher education provision, including the Production Team and Registry and Student Support Team, playing a key role in shaping the future of training at ArtsEd.

Adam Davenport is currently Dean of Performers College, part of BIMM University, where he leads curriculum delivery, productions, quality assurance, student outcomes and strategic development across multiple campuses. Previously, he was Principal of Performers College Birmingham, where he led the launch of a new campus and the development of dynamic professional training courses in Musical Theatre and Acting.

He has also worked as a teacher, director and vocal coach across a range of specialist institutions. Adam trained professionally in Musical Theatre at the Royal Academy of Music and has experience as both a performer and talent agent, bringing valuable industry insight into specialist training and progression into the profession.

His background spans academic leadership, curriculum development, student experience and industry engagement, underpinned by a strong commitment to delivering high-quality vocational performance training.

Adam commented on his appointment:

“I am thrilled to be joining ArtsEd at such an exciting time for the institution. ArtsEd has an outstanding reputation for professional training and for developing talented, artistic and multi-skilled graduates who go on to make a significant impact in the industry. I’m looking forward to working with inspirational colleagues across the organisation, supporting students to flourish, and contributing to the next stage of ArtsEd’s journey.”

Principal Prof. Louise Jackson said

 “I am delighted to be announcing this wonderful appointment. Adam is a first-class educator who has a huge amount of expertise in student-centred specialist vocational training , I know from my previous experience of working with him that he will bring an enormous amount of energy and expertise to ArtsEd in supporting colleagues and helping us move forward in this exciting time of change. I can’t wait to see what he achieves here!’

 Adam will join ArtsEd later this year, marking an exciting step forward for the future of Higher Education at the institution.

After a hugely impactful period as Interim Executive Lead for Higher Education and five years as Director of the School of Musical Theatre, Jonathan O’Boyle will be leaving these roles at the end of the academic year to return to full-time directing work, where demand for his talent continues to grow.

During his time with us, Jonathan has played a pivotal role in evolving our training, helping to shape a more contemporary, industry-connected approach that continues to benefit our students.

He has overseen the delivery of exceptional productions, the successful revalidation of the BA(Hons) Musical Theatre course, our TEF Gold award and an Outstanding Ofsted Inspection for our Trinity Diplomas. Jonathan has been a hugely valued presence across the institution.

Our students and staff have greatly benefited from working alongside someone so respected within the industry, and we are extremely grateful for his contribution.

We are incredibly proud to support this next stage of his career and are pleased to share that this is not a goodbye, but an exciting evolution of our relationship. He will continue to work with ArtsEd in a part-time capacity as Head of ArtsEd Futures, supporting our creative strategy and bringing his industry insight and experience to our work.

In this new role, he will play a key part in shaping future creative opportunities across ArtsEd, ensuring our training remains closely connected to industry and continues to evolve, as well as continuing to support our graduating students as they enter the industry.

Jonathan today said: “It has been an absolute joy and a privilege to work at ArtsEd over the last five years. I’m thrilled to be continuing my relationship with the institution as I return to my full-time directing career. The staff and students here are extraordinary, and working with them has been a highlight of my career. I wanted to thank everyone at ArtsEd for their support over the last five years and I look forward to what the future has in store.”

Principal Louise Jackson said: “Jonathan is the most wonderful colleague, and it is not surprising how in demand he is as a director. His creative vision and his kindness are unique, and I am pleased to be supporting him pursue his directing career whilst also continuing to benefit from his advice and guidance. Students will also be able to gain from his expertise and support as they ready themselves to take their own positions within industry.” 

We wish Jonathan all the very best and look forward to continuing to work together on a number of exciting projects, which we will share in due course.

We were overjoyed to welcome this incredible panel of artists and industry leaders to ArtsEd to celebrate International Women’s Day and discuss the issues facing women in film, tv and theatre today.  The panel discussed life in the industry from several perspectives: performing, casting, writing and training, and the challenges, realities and opportunities for women working in theatre and musical theatre today.

Each of the panel generously shared a reading or song that meant something to them or had inspired them in their career. The panel discussion covered everything from the availability of great parts for women, navigating the industry, how to advocate for yourself and be your own superhero and what we want the future of the industry to look like.

Two of our Alumni (Cash Holland, BA Hons Acting graduate 2018 and Zoe Brough, Day School and Sixth Form) discussed how their training at ArtsEd prepared them for their acting careers and the training in theatre they have taken with them onto screen.

“On stage you have to believe it in your whole body and your eyes but on screen you have to feel it rather than project it. You have to aim for truth.” (Cash Holland).

“Artsed gave me a lot of self-confidence, the school really rooted for you. I left with a lot of energy and passion.  ArtsEd gave me the self-confidence to just go out there and take the bull by the horns. It gave me believability in my conviction and intuition, self-worth and the ability to not go on set feeling like an imposter.” (Zoe Brough, Day School and Sixth Form alumni).

Second year acting student Luana Santos had the opportunity to share the stage and be part of the discussion, talking about her role as a Student Union Diversity Officer and what she would like to see Drama Schools do more of to support women in their training and trajectory into industry.

“As a student, being on a panel with such inspiring and wise women was an amazing opportunity. I feel very lucky to be involved with an open conversation about the issues of women globally but also celebrating our achievements and strength.

Something that really stuck with me was how the writer of Outrageous, Sarah Williams, spent 20 years pushing for it to be taken into production. The determination, passion and commitment really resonated with me and inspired me to always fight for whatever I believe and take pride in.” Luana Santos (Second year BA Acting)

“It was truly inspirational to meet those amazing alumnae. I was so thrilled to see their poise, confidence, and the brilliant performance each of them gave.” ArtsEd Friend

“Conversations like this are so important because the panel represents the future of the industry across a wide range of careers including performers, writers, creatives, collaborators. These are the individuals who will shape the stories we see on stage and on our screens.  It was wonderful to host an incredible panel of women involved in the creative industries, speaking so honestly and truthfully about navigating their careers, from working with all female creative teams, telling the stories of underrepresented women, availability of good roles for women over 40 and the importance of having dignity at work. I really look forward to continuing these important conversations and looking at ways to further support women going into the industry.”

 Professor Louise Jackson, Principal, ArtsEd

ArtsEd and Arts North Studios have announced a new strategic partnership designed to strengthen access to world-class performing arts training for young talent across the North East of England.

The partnership was formally confirmed with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Thursday 29 January at ArtsEd’s historic home in Chiswick. The agreement establishes new progression routes for aspiring performers, helping to bridge the gap between regional training and elite vocational pathways.

At the heart of the collaboration is a shared commitment to widening access, fostering inclusivity, and ensuring that exceptional talent can thrive regardless of geographical or socio-economic background. By combining ArtsEd’s century-long legacy of excellence with Arts North Studios’ deep roots in the Sunderland creative community, the partnership aims to reshape how high-level performing arts training is accessed beyond the capital.

Under the agreement, both institutions will collaborate on a series of initiatives, including the introduction of a Regional Audition Hub for North East applicants and the delivery of intensive workshops in Sunderland led by ArtsEd’s industry-experienced tutors. These initiatives will provide young performers with clearer, more supported routes into professional-level training.

The partnership comes at a pivotal moment for the UK’s creative industries, as demand continues to grow for diverse, highly skilled performers across stage and screen. Together, ArtsEd and Arts North Studios are committed to nurturing the next generation of talent while maintaining strong regional identity and community connection.

Professor Louise Jackson, Principal of ArtsEd, said:
“We are delighted to formalise our relationship with Arts North Studios. At ArtsEd, we firmly believe that world-class training should be accessible to all who have the talent and dedication to pursue it. Sunderland has a rich cultural heartbeat, and this partnership ensures that the exceptional potential within the North East is recognised, supported, and connected directly to the industry.”

Annie Guy, Principal of Arts North Studios, added:
“As someone who grew up in the North East and trained at ArtsEd myself, this partnership is deeply personal. Bringing top-tier training and industry expertise to the region is something I am incredibly passionate about.”

“Partnering with an institution as prestigious as ArtsEd not only validates the remarkable talent we see in our studios every day, but also strengthens our role as a leading performing arts college in the North East.”

“This collaboration levels the playing field for young performers in our region. It represents a promise of opportunity, allowing students to train at the highest level while remaining connected to their roots. It is a monumental moment for Arts North Studios and for the city of Sunderland.”

About ArtsEd

Based in Chiswick, London, ArtsEd is a world-renowned centre of excellence for performing arts training. With a history spanning more than 100 years, the institution offers specialist programmes in Musical Theatre and Acting and is recognised for producing graduates who go on to lead successful careers across theatre, film, and television worldwide.

About Arts North Studios

Located in the heart of Sunderland’s Cultural Quarter, Arts North Studios is the North East’s premier performing arts college. The college is dedicated to empowering the next generation of performers with the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to succeed in professional theatre and beyond. With a faculty of experienced West End practitioners, Arts North Studios provides expert training in acting, singing, and dance and operates as a flagship initiative developed in partnership with Culture Quarter and in collaboration with Sunderland College.